Sick of trading healthy veggie dip or dip alternatives for more satisfying options? The good news is that with healthy dips and healthy spring recipe ideas, there is no need to choose. Both are possible with the best dips for spring.
Read on for the 12 best fresh and healthy spring dip recipes.
Healthy Spring Recipe
Seasonal spring produce is at its nutritional peak when the leaves start turning green again. The best spring dips incorporate fresh ingredients and pair well with other foods.
Healthy Dips for Weight Loss
A few superstar ingredients really stand out in spring dips. Fruits and vegetables are known for assisting with weight loss while keeping calorie and fat levels low.
The following seasonal fruits and vegetables have 25 calories or less per half-cup. They are great choices for incorporating into dips:
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Strawberries
• Apricot
• Celery
• Asparagus
• Beetroot
• Apples
• Lemons
• Limes
• Kale
• Spinach
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Onions
• Pineapple
• Radishes
• Rhubarb
• Turnips
• Mushrooms
• Kiwi
Herbs and Spices
There is not much better than fresh herbs in the spring! The following low-calorie, flavorful herbs and spices can be used to make spring dips even more appetizing:
• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Chives
• Thyme
• Basil
• Garlic
12 Best Dips to Make for Spring
One of the best parts about dip is that it takes minutes to make. With everything from peanut butter and berries to green veggies and bright purple colors, the following list of dips offers a dip for everyone!
1. Roasted Red Pepper and Caramelized Onion Dip
Fat-free yogurt and reduced-fat sour cream make roasted red pepper and caramelized onion dip a hit. Packed full of seasonal flavors, spring-fresh onions are the star of the show.
Swap out the sugar in this dip for a teaspoon of honey to make it a naturally sweet chip or veggie dip.
2. Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
Pair peanut butter yogurt dip with fresh berries for a burst of lovely spring energy. Simple ingredients and a dash of cinnamon make this naturally sweetened dip a springtime staple.
Serve it with other seasonal produce, such as sliced apples or banana chunks.
3. Avocado Feta Dip
Two seasonal stars make avocado feta dip a tasty snack with healthy fats. Lemon and avocado produce a fresh creamy texture and feta cheese lends protein and tangy taste.
With just five ingredients, this healthy dip can be whipped together in under 15 minutes.
4. Cucumber-Yogurt Dip
If there were prizes for the creamiest hydrating dip, cucumber-yogurt dip with dill and lemon would win all the awards.
Greek yogurt and cucumber are ingredients that keep the calories down without sacrificing flavor. Fresh spring dill and seasonal lemons give this dip the deliciousness it deserves.
5. Moroccan-Spiced Roasted Carrot Dip
Veggies get a bad wrap for being boring, but not this time. Harissa seasoning helps create spiced roasted carrot dip.
Instead of using carrots as the vehicle for a dip, try using carrots as the dip instead!
6. Delicious Edamame Guacamole
Edamole is a healthy twist on guacamole dip. It offers a lighter version of the creamy avocado original. It also has higher protein and fiber levels than the classic dip it mimics.
7. Simple Mint Pea Dip
A pop of mint never fails to make a meal or snack fresher. Peas, fresh herbs, lemons, and garlic create a simple yet sophisticated mint pea dip.
The dip can easily be made creamier with the addition of raw tahini, which is a paste made from sesame seeds.
8. Roasted Garlic Hummus in Cucumber Cups
For a protein-packed snack that comes with the dip already on it, try hummus cucumber cups. The cups taste great with fresh herbs. For those avoiding certain ingredients, the garnishes can be easily customized.
9. Beetroot & Walnut Dip
Roast beetroot and walnut dip stands out, quite literally! It has a bright purple hue due to the beetroot. This vegan dip is a powerhouse of protein with a whopping 1 cup of walnuts.
10. Healthy Apple Pie Cheesecake Dip
Dessert dips simply take the cake. Healthy apple pie cheesecake dip combines warm flavors with the fresh, cool start of spring (all without the cream cheese)!
Cinnamon adds natural sweetness while seasonal, fresh apples and low-fat cottage cheese provide high levels of protein and other nutrients.
11. Fresh Tomato Salsa
Onions, fresh cilantro, and juicy lemons and limes make fresh tomato salsa a seasonal treasure. When the hummus does not spark joy, this jalapeno-spiced dip is sure to turn up the heat.
12. Herbed Lemon Ricotta Dip
With fresh garlic, finely chopped garden herbs, and zested lemons, this dip embodies spring completely. Herbed lemon ricotta dip is packed with nutrients.
The dip makes a perfect companion as an assorted vegetable dip.
Healthy Dips for Spring Recap
Dips are much more than for cold-weather Super Bowl parties and pairing for standard tortilla chips. Expand recipes with these best dips this spring (and year round!), including healthy veggie dips and beyond.
With these healthy dip options, also side with a variety of dippers for the ultimate duo. These may include oven-baked sweet potato chips or store-bought carrot sticks.
Overall, these healthy spring recipes are worth dipping into!
References:
Keyser E. 34 Healthy Dips to Bring to the Party (That Aren’t Guac or Hummus). Greatist.com. Published April 23, 2020. https://greatist.com/eat/healthy-dip-recipes.
Nutritious Life. 7 Delicious Healthy Dips That Go Way Beyond Hummus and Guac. Nutritiouslife.com. https://nutritiouslife.com/eat-empowered/delicious-healthy-dips-recipes/slide/pesto-broccoli-rabe-hummus/.
UnidosUS. Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables and their Benefits. The Walmart Foundation. http://vps6291.inmotionhosting.com/bitstream/handle/123456789/1580/8.5x11_seasonalfruits.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. Seasonal Produce. Snapped.fns.usda.gov. https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guide/spring.
White A. 10 fruit and veggies that are almost calorie-free. Houseofwellness.com.au. Published July 21, 2020. https://www.houseofwellness.com.au/health/nutrition/10-low-calorie-fruit-veggies.
Weeks A. How to Shop Seasonally in Spring. Anniweeks.com. Published March 19, 2021. https://www.anniweeks.com/post/how-to-shop-seasonally-in-spring.